Julius X: A Re-envisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
by Al Letson
Directed by Nicole Brewer
Booking and details
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Dates Tue, Sep 23 – Sun, Oct 26, 2025
Venue Folger Theatre
Tickets $20 – $90
Single tickets will go on sale August 5. Advance pre-sale is now available for Folger Members. Become a Member
Please note: Children under the age of 4 are not permitted.
Award-winning writer, journalist, and podcast host Al Letson harmonizes with Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in his retelling of the story, Julius X: A Re-envisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare.
Just as Shakespeare chronicled history to create a means of understanding the events of his day, Letson highlights and reflects on contemporary challenges by blending Shakespeare with the story of Civil Rights leader Malcolm X.
Director Nicole Brewer explains, “Letson’s poetry pulses with the rhythm of revolution, weaving Shakespearean drama into the raw urgency of the Civil Rights era.” Julius X champions Shakespeare’s original text and timeless tragedy, amplified with Letson’s verse, to highlight the cyclical nature of societal strife and shared human experiences of ambition, betrayal, and brotherhood.
Creative team
Al Letson
Al Letson is a playwright, screenwriter, actor, and journalist. Letson hosts Reveal, from the Center for Investigative Reporting, an award-winning news program heard on over 500 NPR stations and over 1 million podcast downloads a month. As a journalist he’s been awarded three Peabodys and an Emmy. His theater work has appeared Off-Broadway and on stages across the country. Letson has written for several television shows with various networks including AMC, APPLE TV, and HULU. He continues to write, develop, and tell new stories, for both broadcast and live audiences. Alletson.com
Nicole Brewer
Nicole Brewer is a multi-hyphenate DC-based theater maker and proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC). She brings a bold, inclusive vision to her directing work, centering anti-racist practices to create transformative theatrical experiences. As a leading voice in Anti-Racist Theatre (ART), Nicole has spent years empowering artists and institutions to create more equitable and impactful storytelling. She shares her work through workshops, keynotes, and collaborations across the US, Canada, and the UK. Nicole is on the faculty at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale and serves on the board of Parent Artist Advocacy League (PAAL), working to make the industry more inclusive for caregivers. A proud mother of three, she is deeply grateful for the community that supports her family so she can pursue her artistic journey. Her directing credits at the Folger include Julius X, The Reading Room Festival 2023, and By the Queen, The Reading Room Festival 2025. Additional credits include: The House That Will Not Stand at Howard University, The Winter’s Tale at Shakespeare Theatre’s Academy of Classical Acting, and Fires in the Mirror: Crown Heights, Brooklyn and Other Identities at Baltimore Center Stage and Long Wharf Theatre, as well as readings, devised work, and musical theater. www.nicolembrewer.com.
Accessibility
The Folger wants every visitor to enjoy exploring our building, our programs, and our collection. We strive to provide access to all audiences. Please contact us at VisitorServices@folger.edu or (202) 544-7077 with questions or requests. More information
Masked performance
- Sunday, Oct 5, 2025 at 7:30pm
While Folger Theatre no longer requires masks at most performances, we recognize that some patrons may prefer to attend in a fully masked environment. At the request of audience members, Folger Theatre has designated several performances during the 2025-2026 season as mask-required for all audience members, staff, and volunteers. If you need a mask, we are happy to provide one to you.
Relaxed performances
- Sunday, Oct 12, 2025 at 7:30pm
- Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025 at 2pm
Relaxed performances are designed to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for audiences that may receive and react to information in different ways. The content of the production is the same, but some elements of the environment are altered. Download our social narrative
Audio-described performance
- Saturday, Oct 18, 2025 at 2pm
Audio description (AD) is a narration service that attempts to describe the visual aspects of theatre and make the visual an auditory experience, with the goal of helping low vision and Blind audience members share in the experience of live theatre more fully.
Open-captioned performances
- Sunday, Oct 26, 2025 at 2pm
- Sunday, Oct 26, 2025 at 7:30pm
Open-captioning makes live theater performances accessible by using a non-intrusive caption board at the front of the stage which scrolls the entire text of the production in real time.
For information about the best seat locations from which to see the caption board, contact us at VisitorServices@folger.edu or (202) 544–7077.
Special performances
Pay what you will
Tuesday, Sep 23, 2025 at 7:30pm
The concept is simple: you tell us what you will pay for your ticket! Sales begin two (2) hours before curtain at the door and are available on a first come, first served basis — limit one (1) ticket per person.
Post-show discussion
Thursday, Oct 16, 2025 at 7:30pm
Join us after the performance for a free conversation with the cast, moderated by the production dramaturg.